Touring Scotland

Planning my next trip for end of May: Isle of Skye and North Hebrides: https://www.komoot.com/tour/54960203?ref=itd

Train to Mallaig, flying back from Stornoway.

Sounds sensible? Any feedback from the region connoisseurs?

Nothing wrong with it in principle, but personally I’d break it into two trips and spend one whole trip on the Outer Hebrides. I’ve been three times now and there’s still places I haven’t managed to get to. Same with Skye. How long have you got?

I don't know if these folks have been mentioned already -

http://www.gatliff.org.uk/

They’re one reason I’d make the Outer Hebrides, starting in Barra or Vatersay and heading north, a trip in itself. Stayed at all of them over the years and they are all in beautiful locations and never turn people away. Well they didn’t up till 5 years ago, which was when I was there last. Below is Howmore hostel and the beach below.

Berneray hostel

just found this, did a trip with 2 friends from aberdeen to fort william 2 summers ago.. Ill find some photos do a quick write up soon!

Rhenigidale...amazing road to get to this, but you have to ride out and back up. Great walk from the hostel along the beach to Tarbert. You can book a place on the school bus back. https://scontent-lht6-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/50402508_10155817374843204_1325024421865324544_n.jpg?_nc_cat=110&_nc_ht=scontent-lht6-1.xx&oh=ef2d5bcde35b0ed2b1f173f199f7e756&oe=5CCD9499&dl=1

Great wild camping spots on the roads which go out and back off the main spine up the islands.

I was thinking about a week, since we're skipping the bottom of the Hebrides.

Only thing I’d add is you’re missing the most beautiful sunset in the world at morar sands.

And the possibility to see the plankton that glows as you stand on it.

Basically spend a night on morar in my opinion.

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In terms of the distance you’re covering, that’s fine. You could probably do more, depending on your fitness and experience. But if you want time to enjoy and explore a bit, maybe have the flexibility to take a day out even, or not as you wish, that kind of lower mileage is better, in my opinion, than pushing to cover double that or more, as I used to do on my first few cyclecamping tours. You miss so much, if you rush it, believe me. I guess my advice would be, if this schedule and route works for you this time, it’s fine. Nothing wrong with it. Just accept there’s a lot you’ll miss. This time. Of course, you’ll love it so much, you’ll be back and try to cover some of the stuff you’ve missed! Or, it will rain solidly the whole week, you’ll be miserable, wet and cold the whole time and all you’ll see is mist. Then you’ll still have to come back again, to really discover how beautiful it all was!

100% get what you're saying.
Previously, we did [Inverness to Fort William], and so starting off from Mallaig (or Morar, per @LeePaton's advice) kinda makes sense. A Friend Of Mine (tm) recommended to leave out the South Hebrides, for one reason or another.

As you can probably see from the route there are two loops we could potentially cut, and the ferry distance brings down the total by another 40km.

I'm already planning on spending or or two days on Skye after cycling to meet up some friends. Aiming for a 50km/day rhythm just to do what you recommend: enjoy the scenery, take the time – or get rained on in a tent a lot.

Hushinish is a rewarding excursion if you've got the time and it's a nice day

I didn't make it up as far as Stornoway or Port of Ness so not sure whether that trip is more exciting though.

I agree with your friend that North/South Uist is maybe a little less interesting than Lewis and Harris

@motoko , maybe you can answer @hippy here who was asking about aberdeen riding/drinking spots on twitter

Ta.

Yeah I'll not have much time to explore so it might be redundant for this trip but I will be doing more riding in Scotland in the future (next year likely) so any suggestions welcome.

The trip in March is just a couple of days to Aberdeen with a tour at Brewdog in Ellon the only locked in detail so far. Have some ideas for hiring/loaning bikes so could ride around there a bit or just get hammered in all the local watering holes.

if you're around in mid/late may we're planning some fun gravel/road stuff - gies a shout if you're interested.

Thanks but I basically go straight from RaTN to 4x600s subsequent weekends so pretty chokkaz.

The grill for whisky is unbelievable if you enjoy a dram and a lovely atmosphere.

Bonmarte for food is the best i found in my years living there. Make sure you get a fresh buttery however purely to highlight how little local food we have that is good.

If you fancy it you can hire bikes in Braemar or Ballater and the MTB is pretty much as scenic as it gets. Or try do the pub crawl from Braemer into Aberdeen... Tried many times never once came close.

Big shout for the cycle highlands in ballater, great shop! also, panic bivvy spot - sheep field just next to the bridge non town side of the river..

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@Hippy if you want to borrow a battered old Ribble audax (56cm) for a couple of days, let me know I work in Dyce by the airport (assuming flying in), there is a bike route/path to Ellon from Aberdeen I believe. The shire is great for riding, I live near Banchory which is great for MTB and there are heaps of road routes near me as well, Cairn O Mount is a favourite for self harm!

Bonmarte

Sadly this has shut down and is now a "Low Fat" Indian

@hippy
Depending on size I have a few bikes you could borrow too. 54cm Tripster AT or a Talbot

I truely feel saddened.

Ta, I've added The Grill to my list.

Bonmarte

Can't find that on google.

What's a "buttery"?

Thanks for the offer. I'm going with the missus and have a feeling we'll not have enough time to do more than crawl around the city. There is a rail train from Aberdeen to Ellon (~21mi) apparently which would be doable. I'm not too phased about riding but it would be nice.

buttery

They are amazing, but deadly

Head to the Kirkgate Bar as well as the Grill.

The KGB is just a great boozer and there are photos of me on the wall, which make it even greaterer

The Prince of awakes is also a great great pub with an excellent whisky selection